We're Movin' On Up!

So, here we go! We bought a condo, we moved in (sort of), and we're getting started on this adventure in new home-ownership. The building was built in the early 1960s and we purchased our unit from the original owner, who, as you'll see, went all out in terms of decorating, etc. in 1962, and never lifted a decorating/updating finger again. We knew going in that this was a project. That was part of the appeal. This is our first home, and we're going to figure this whole thing out as we go, but in the end, we'll have OUR home, with our stamp on it, as we envision it. And that's exciting. As far as home projects go, ours comes with an incredible view -- one we should not be able to afford -- so that's the daily reminder of why this was a great idea. We're in Chicago's Edgewater neighborhood, which is on the north side of the city, and, as you can deduce from the name, which shares a border with Lake Michigan. Our unit overlooks the lake. Our balcony hangs over the beach. It's pretty great.

(view of the beach from the living room)

(duct tape solution!)

The work started right away... we moved in on Friday, August 27, 2010 (Happy birthday Uncle Steve, Jake, and Ellie!... and the day before Dave's 30th birthday!). Saturday morning we woke up and assessed the situation. A few things had to be handled right away: the parquet floor in the living room had been broken during the previous owner's move-out, so some duct tape had to go down temporarily (now replacing the floors in the kitchen, dining area, and living room moved up the priority list); the hot water wouldn't flow in the master bath sink; the faucet in the kitchen was leaking like nobody's business; 



oh yeah, and the place was the museum of historic wallpaper samples!

(kitchen)

(front hall)

(second bathroom)

(master bathroom - walls)

(master bathroom - ceiling... yep, ceiling)

(and finally, the inside of the front hall closet)

But first thing's first! It was Dave's birthday! And a special delivery was on its way thanks to Home Depot... a brand new grill! Now we just need to get a propane tank!

That's all for this first post. I'll try to update regularly as this project unfolds. I have lots of photos to post from this first stage (i.e., what we took on!). More tomorrow or Friday with shots of the kitchen, bedrooms, and bathrooms, as well as the first two projects: new faucet in the master bathroom (go Dave!), and freeing the front hall of its wallpaper shackles!


(p.s., I promise I will soon improve at the formatting here... I'll get better at layout, and photos, etc.)